Tory 'Help To Work' plan punishes unemployed people

People who have been unemployed for more than two years face punishing new rules from Monday of this week.

They must sign on every day in a job centre, undergo intense “training” or take 30 hours unpaid work every week for six months.

The Help To Work scheme hits people who have already had to do unpaid work through the Work Programme.

“The new scheme is simply made up of lies and scapegoating,” said one job centre worker. “The government’s own research shows that forcing people to work for their benefits will not help them back into work.

“With no extra staff daily signing on will simply see people sent on their way by overworked and demoralised workers.”

One charity faced fierce public criticism for taking people on who were forced to work for free on the Work Programme. Several will boycott Help To Work.

Significantly, Liverpool council will also not be taking part. Councillor Nick Small called the scheme “immoral and unworkable”.